Great Literary Tarot Decks for Writers

When it comes to choosing a tarot deck, my first suggestion is to go with the one you like the look of. It’s simple, it’s personal.

To writers I also suggest, if possible, to choose a deck that suits the feel of your writing, something that resonates with your author voice. There’s a reason I own several contemporary witch tarot decks – because I write a lot of contemporary witch fantasy.

As well as these thematically inspiring decks, you might also like to consider a deck directly inspired by a literary theme. These writerly tarot decks could be used in your readings and tarot writer’s life in a variety of ways. 

You might read with them as reminders of your idols, what you aspire to be in your own writing life. You could also use them as a tone text, matching your deck themes and story themes. For example if you write period romances, the Jane Austen deck could be well suited, or a mystery writer might inspired by the Sherlock Holmes deck. There are decks for so many special works, including the Hobbit deck, the Lord of the Rings deck, Game of Thrones tarot deck, HP Lovecraft Necronomicon deck, and so, so many more.

Here are a few other tarot decks specific to writers (plus a sneaky oracle and Lenormand deck).

You might also like to see the official list of tarot decks specifically mentioned and recommended elsewhere on this site. These are the decks I use in my own writing life.

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American Renaissance Tarot

The American Renaissance Tarot is a 78 card tarot deck inspired by American literature. It showcases 36 prominent writers, including Emerson, Whitman, and Thoreau, and portrays significant scenes from renowned American literary works between 1825 and 1875. The Major Arcana cards also narrate the journey towards the abolition of slavery. In the Minors, the cards depict the literary contributions of Herman Melville, Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Frederick Douglass.

The Poet Tarot

The Poet Tarot is a 70-card deck created by and for poets, writers, and artists. It features 30 well-known poets on its Major Arcana and court cards, and has themed Minor Arcana suits of Quills (Wands), Muses (Cups), Mentors (Swords), and Letterpresses (Pentacles). This deck is specifically designed to help writers, artists, or anyone engaged in artistic pursuits to explore the intricacies of their creative process and embrace a creative lifestyle. The Major arcana showcases renowned poets embodying various roles: Edgar Allan Poe as the Devil; Emily Dickinson as the Hermit; E. E. Cummings as the Fool; William Butler Yeats represents the Ending (traditionally The World).

Sherlock Holmes Tarot

The 79 card Sherlock Holmes Tarot captures the characters, era, and narratives from the celebrated books by Arthur Conan Doyle. The Major Arcana cards feature significant figures and iconic locations from the books, immersing you in the world of Holmes and his adventures. The Minor Arcana depicts scenes from specific stories.

Tarot in Wonderland

The extraordinary 78-card Tarot In Wonderland deck transports you to a fantastical realm where tarot symbolism intertwines with the whimsy of Lewis Carroll’s literary universe. Accompanying this magical deck is a meticulously crafted companion book by Barbara Moore, which not only provides comprehensive insights but also showcases stunning illustrations that perfectly complement the tarot cards. 

A Jane Austen Tarot Deck

A Jane Austen Tarot Deck is a must-have for any Austen loving tarot enthusiast. This set of 53 cards features hand-drawn characters, including Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, and objects from Austen’s world such as bonnets and books. Created by acclaimed artist Jacqui Oakley, each card serves as a playing card and tarot card. The deck comes in an oversized, sleek cigar box with foil stamping, accompanied by a booklet providing an overview of tarot and a guide to Austen’s world. 

The Literary Witches Oracle

Experience the intersection of spirituality, feminist wisdom, and literature with The Literary Witches Oracle. This unique, 70 card deck invites you to infuse your reading with spirituality, feminist wisdom, and literature, featuring remarkable icons like Octavia Butler, Shirley Jackson, Gertrude Stein, Joy Harjo, Virginia Woolf, Toni Morrison Yumiko Kurahashi and Mirabai.

The included guidebook helps you navigate the cards based on your intentions, the writers’ characteristics, and the spiritual symbols at play.

Fairy Tale Lenormand

While this is not actually a tarot deck, the Fairy Tale Lenormand deserves special mention for its stunning art and the way the cards use familiar fairytale motifs to connect with real life parallels.

Lenormand cartomancy is the less known cousin of tarot and oracle cards, and a fun direction for readers to expand their card reading curiosities and deck collecting obsessions… err, I mean interests. Read more about Lenormand cards here.

Do you have a favorite literary themed tarot deck? Tell us about it in the comments below.